With a population of nearly four million, Bali has only two homes for the elderly, one in Denpasar in South Bali (Wana Seraya) and the other in Lovina in North Bali (Jara Mati Patih). Traditionally, communal Balinese culture embraces the elderly who are cared for either by their family or their village. However, the disenfranchised and those ostracized by their family or village have no social support and no other place to go. They are, in other words, the poorest of the poor.
The police and Social Services department deliver most of the new residents to Denpasar’s elder home. They find them wandering in the streets, scavenging in the trash, sleeping rough or begging. These homeless and cast off elderly are given simple but clean clothing, a roof over their head and a bowl of rice three times a day. That’s a great step up from the street, but a far cry from the decency and dignity they deserve.
Nils Wetterlind of Tropical Homes became very concerned about the plight of the homeless elderly in Bali. When he first visited the Panti Jompo Wana Seraya in Ketewel, he knew he had to do something.
The first step was to provide proper beds and decent bedding for about 50 people at the home. Next, they tackled the crumbling buildings to create a safer and healthier environment. Simple things like hand railings have made all the difference for the fragile, elderly residents.
The food given to the residents was little more than rice. So Tropical Homes began weekly delivery of 200 kilos of meat, fish and vegetables to supplement their diet.
They then started looking at the buildings. In the sick ward, the squalor was the worst. Roofs were leaking, walls falling down, no plumbing—not very pleasant. So they undertook to rebuild the entire place.
Tropical Homes decided this was by now too big for them and approached Rotary, who with typical efficiency took charge, made budgets and organized further funds. The sick ward has been totally rebuilt from top to bottom. Four new buildings have been constructed to proper standard, all under the auspices of Tropical Homes. Those who are too frail to care for themselves now have a properly equipped nursing home with disabled friendly facilities and a lot more comfort.
In October 2005, YKIP took over the administering of Tropical Homes’ donations, which include:
- A half-time Field Officer, Mr. Hartanto from 2005-2008, followed by Dayu Gayatri in 2008-2009 and in 2009 Deasy Permatasari Putri. They monitor the elders, do the payments and purchasing and make sure everyone is comfortable.
- Daily purchasing of fresh meat, fish, vegetables and fruit for the elders’ lunch (including the staff) (this healthy lunch program stopped in 2008 as the government began giving a larger stipend for food).
- Purchasing of necessary medications
- Payment of salaries for on-call nurses and full-time caregivers
- Payment for a gamelan music or pesantrian (sacred singing) teacher.They meet twice a week for classes.
In 2009, Gary Shephard of the UK donated funds to supplement Tropical Homes’ sponsorship. These funds are still being used in 2011.
There is a second elder home in Lovina, North Bali which houses around 80 residents. In 2010, the Annika Linden Foundation conducted major renovations on four of the residential buildings and put new bathrooms in all of the buildings. A new laundry room has been provided (washing machines donated by Bali Governor Pastika’s wife, Ayu Pastika) and the kitchen has been renovated. The ALF has given the grannies and grandpas two new sets of traditional Balinese clothing, repaired all the beds and the sofas as well as purchased new mattresses. A part-time caretaker also has been successfully brought aboardALF provides basic medications and cleaning supplies on a monthly basis.
In October 2010, a team of the emergency unit of Sanglah Hospital, led by dr Andre Dipa, who is also one of YKIP’s board members, conducted a preliminary medical check up of the elders as a reference to further implement YKIP’s health program at the elder home. We also brought Miranti, the new audiology assistant of Bali Hears, to Jara Mara Pati to conduct hearing test on 15 residents with hearing complaints. In 2011, we planto bring a physician to visit on a weekly basis.The improvement in capacity building among the Jara Mara Pati’s staff is also among the other things to get implemented this year.
YKIP, as ALF’s representative on the ground in Bali, works closely with the staff of both Wana Seraya and Jara Mara Pati to ensure that the elders enjoy a better quality of life. Deasy Permatasari Putri is the YKIP Field Officer in charge of the Elder Program.
